By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – Montevallo’s Tyler Olds has been chosen by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a finalist for the Back/Lineman of the Year Award. Each year the ASWA meets to hammer out the All-State team and during that time also figures out nominations for this award.

The Back award is given to the best offensive playmaker in each classification from 1-7A, as well as the AISA, while the lineman award is given to the best offensive/defensive lineman or linebacker from each classification.

Olds made the cut as a lineman nominee in Class 3A alongside fellow nominees Logan Beadles, Defensive Lineman, Piedmont and Mason Langley, Offensive Lineman, Piedmont. Piedmont also had their quarterback nominated for the Back of the year to give them a 50 percent chance of bringing home an award.

The incredible part for Olds is that he made the list of finalists as just a sophomore, but deservingly so. He posted 153 tackles, which led all county players, 22 tackles for loss, which was third in the county, six sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception. The kid is a freak athlete and can cover the entire field on the defensive side of the ball.

He has already been named as both a First Team member on the All-County Team and All-State team and will look to add to his repertoire by being named as one of the best football players in the entire state by winning the lineman of the year award.

All 48 finalists were chosen by a panel of sports writers from around the state earlier in December. All 48 of the finalists also qualified for the state’s Mr. Football award, which will be presented at the ASWA’s annual Player of the Year luncheon in Montgomery on Jan. 18. The award is sponsored by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Associations.